Seat device

ABSTRACT

A seat device includes a cushion portion configured to elastically support a seated person, and a seat frame configured to support the cushion portion. The cushion portion includes a plurality of divided cushions divided in a seat width direction. Each of the plurality of divided cushions includes a seat pad, and a seat cover individually covering the seat pad. A divided surface between the divided cushions adjacent to each other includes a first divided surface extending from a seat front side toward a seat back side, and a second divided surface that is bent from a seat back side extending tip of the first divided surface in a direction different from a direction in which the first divided surface extends and extends toward the seat back side.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is based on Japanese Patent Applications No.2021-073143 filed on Apr. 23, 2021, the entire contents of which areincorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND

The present invention relates to a seat device. More specifically, thepresent invention relates to a seat device including a cushion portionthat elastically supports a seated person, and a seat frame thatsupports the cushion portion.

In a vehicle seat device, there is known a configuration in which acushion portion including a seat pad and a seat cover includes aplurality of divided cushions divided in a seat width direction(JP-A-2020-33005). Each of the divided cushions is configured to beindividually bolted and fixed to a seat frame.

In the above seat device, a divided surface of each divided cushion hasa shape extending straight from a seat front side to a seat back side.Therefore, when a foreign object enters space between the dividedcushions, the foreign object easily enters deep toward the seat backside. Therefore, the present invention provides a seat device in which aforeign object is less likely to enter deep from between dividedcushions.

In order to solve the above problem, the seat device of the presentinvention has the following aspects.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

According to an aspect of the present disclosure, a seat device includesa cushion portion configured to elastically support a seated person, anda seat frame configured to support the cushion portion. The cushionportion includes a plurality of divided cushions divided in a seat widthdirection. Each of the plurality of divided cushions includes a seatpad, and a seat cover individually covering the seat pad. A dividedsurface between the divided cushions adjacent to each other includes afirst divided surface extending from a seat front side toward a seatback side, and a second divided surface that is bent from a seat backside extending tip of the first divided surface in a direction differentfrom a direction in which the first divided surface extends and extendstoward the seat back side.

According to the above configuration, even when a foreign object entersspace between the divided cushions adjacent to each other, the foreignobject is easily restricted from entering deep by the bent shape betweenthe first divided surface and the second divided surface. Therefore, itcan be difficult for the foreign object to enter deep between thedivided cushions.

In addition, the seat device of the present invention may be furtherconfigured as follows. The plurality of divided cushions includes threedivided elements composed of a top main portion that forms a centralportion in the seat width direction, and top side portions that form twoside portions in the seat width direction of the seat device. The threedivided elements may form a seat back. The three divided elements mayform a seat cushion.

According to the above configuration, since dividing lines of thedivided cushions are provided between the top main portion and the topside portions located on both sides of the top main portion, the cushionportion can be appropriately divided in the seat width direction in sucha manner that sitting comfort is not impaired.

In addition, the seat device of the present invention may be furtherconfigured as follows. The first divided surface extends in a directionthat rises in a thickness direction relative to the second dividedsurface, and the second divided surface is bent obliquely inward in theseat width direction.

According to the above configuration, the top side portions support thetop main portion from the seat back side. In addition, even if the topmain portion is set between the top side portions after the top sideportions are set on the seat frame, assembly thereof is less likely tobe hindered.

In addition, the seat device of the present invention may be furtherconfigured as follows. The seat pad of each top side portion is made ofurethane foam that is harder than the seat pad of the top main portion.

According to the above configuration, side support provided for theseated person can be improved by the hardness of the top side portions.In addition, the effect of restricting entry of the foreign object canbe improved by the hardness of the top side portions.

In addition, the seat device of the present invention may be furtherconfigured as follows. A top cover piece of the seat cover that isdisposed over a seat surface includes an extension portion that extendsso as to cover the divided surface, and a sewn portion where the topcover piece is sewn with a divided surface cover piece disposed on thedivided surface.

According to the above configuration, since the sewn portion of the seatcover is provided on the divided surface separated from the seatsurface, the sitting comfort and appearance quality of the seat devicecan be less likely to be impaired.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a schematic configuration of a seatdevice according to a first embodiment;

FIG. 2 is a front view of a seat back;

FIG. 3 is a rear view of the seat back;

FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of the seat back:

FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view of FIG. 4 as viewed from a backsurface side:

FIG. 6 is a rear view of a cushion portion of the seat back:

FIG. 7 is a front view showing an interior of the seat back in avisualized manner;

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view taken along line VIII-VIII of FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 is a plan view of a seat cushion;

FIG. 10 is a bottom view of the seat cushion;

FIG. 11 is an exploded perspective view of the seat cushion:

FIG. 12 is an exploded perspective view of FIG. 11 as viewed from abottom side;

FIG. 13 is a bottom view of a cushion portion of the seat cushion;

FIG. 14 is a plan view showing an interior of the seat cushion in avisualized manner;

FIG. 15 is a cross-sectional view taken along line XV-XV of FIG. 14;

FIG. 16 is a cross-sectional view taken along line XVI-XVI of FIG. 14;and

FIG. 17 is a cross-sectional view taken along line XVII-XVII of FIG. 14.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described withreference to the drawings.

First Embodiment

(Schematic Configuration of Seat Device 1)

First, a configuration of a seat device 1 according to a firstembodiment of the present invention will be described with reference toFIGS. 1 to 17. In the following description, directions such as front,rear, up, down, left, and right indicate the respective directions shownin the drawings. In addition, in a case where “seat” is attached to eachdirection, such as “seat width direction”, such a direction indicates adirection based on a direction of the seat device 1 described later. Inaddition, in the following description, when a specific referencediagram is not shown, or when there is no reference numeralcorresponding to the reference diagram, any one of FIGS. 1 to 17 isappropriately referred to.

As shown in FIG. 1, the seat device 1 according to the presentembodiment is configured as a one-person right seat installed on a floorF of an automobile. The seat device 1 includes a seat back 2 that formsa backrest of a seated person, a seat cushion 3 that forms a seatingportion, and a headrest 4 that forms a headrest.

Lower end portions on both left and right sides of the seat back 2 areconnected to rear end portions on both left and right sides of the seatcushion 3 via an electric reclining mechanism 5, respectively. As aresult, the seatback 2 is configured to be capable of freely adjusting abackrest angle relative to the seat cushion 3 in a seat front-reardirection in accordance with an operation of each reclining mechanism 5.

Side shields 6A and 6B, which are made of resin, respectively cover eachconnection portion between the seat back 2 and the seat cushion 3 from aseat width direction outer side. The right side shield 6A extends longerforward than the left side shield 6B and covers a right side portion ofthe seat cushion 3.

Both left and right side portions of the seat cushion 3 are connected tothe floor F via an electric lifter mechanism 7, respectively. As aresult, the seat cushion 3 is configured to be capable of freelyadjusting a height relative to the floor F in accordance with anoperation of each lifter mechanism 7. The seat cushion 3 includes a tiltmechanism 8 capable of adjusting a seating surface angle of a frontportion thereof.

The seat back 2 and the seat cushion 3 are configured in such a mannerthat cushion portions 20 and 40, which elastically support a load of theseated person, are each formed of three divided elements divided intothree in the seat width direction. Specifically, the seat back 2 isconfigured in such a manner that the cushion portion 20, whichelastically supports a back of the seated person, is formed of threedivided elements, namely a top main portion 21 that forms a centralportion in the seat width direction, and top side portions 22 that formboth side portions in the seat width direction. Here, the top mainportion 21 and the top side portions 22 each correspond to a “dividedcushion” of the present invention.

The top main portion 21 is configured in such a manner that a seatsurface in contact with the back of the seated person has a relativelyflat surface shape facing forward, and is capable of elasticallysupporting the back of the seated person straight from behind. A seatsurface of each top side portion 22, which is in contact with the backof the seated person, has a bank-like protruding shape that protrudesobliquely forward from an inner side toward an outer side in the seatwidth direction. As a result, each top side portion 22 is configured tobe capable of elastically supporting the back of the seated person froma diagonally rear outer side in the seat width direction.

Similarly, the seat cushion 3 is configured in such a manner that thecushion portion 40, which elastically supports buttocks of the seatedperson, is formed of three divided elements, namely a top main portion21 that forms a central portion in the seat width direction and top sideportions 42 that form both side portions in the seat width direction.Here, the top main portion 41 and the top side portions 42 eachcorrespond to the “divided cushion” of the present invention.

The top main portion 21 is configured in such a manner that a seatsurface in contact with the buttocks of the seated person has arelatively flat surface shape facing upward and elastically supports thebuttocks of the seated person straight from below. A seat surface ofeach top side portion 42, which is in contact with the buttocks of theseated person, has a bank-like protruding shape that protrudes obliquelyupward from the inner side toward the outer side in the seat widthdirection. As a result, each top side portion 42 is configured toelastically support the buttocks of the seated person from a diagonallylower outer side in the seat width direction.

The cushion portion 20 of the seat back 2 is configured in such a mannerthat the top main portion 21 and the top side portions 22 thereof areeasily assembled to a back frame 10, which forms a framework of the seatback 2, only by access from the front (see FIGS. 2 to 8). Similarly, thecushion portion 40 of the seat cushion 3 is also configured in such amanner that the top main portion 41 and the top side portions 42 thereofare easily assembled to a cushion frame 30, which forms a framework ofthe seat cushion 3, only by access from above (see FIGS. 9 to 16).

The seat device 1 is configured in such a manner that the cushionportion 20 of the seat back 2 and the cushion portion 40 of the seatcushion 3 can be appropriately fixed to the back frame 10 and thecushion frame 30 even with the above-described assembly structure.Hereinafter, specific configurations of each portion of the seat back 2and the seat cushion 3 will be described in detail. Here, the back frame10 and the cushion frame 30 each correspond to a “seat frame” of thepresent invention.

(Seat Back 2)

First, a configuration of the seat back 2 will be described withreference to FIGS. 2 to 8. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the seat back 2includes the metal back frame 10 that forms an internal frameworkthereof, and the cushion portion 20 that is assembled to the back frame10 and elastically supports the load of the seated person.

Although not shown in the drawings, the seat back 2 also includes aresin back board that covers a back surface thereof. As shown in FIGS. 4and 5, the back frame 10 is configured to be assembled in a verticallylong frame shape in a front view.

Specifically, the back frame 10 includes a pair of left and right sideframes 11 that form a vertically long framework along left and rightside portions of the seat back 2. The back frame 10 also includes anupper frame 12 that forms a laterally long framework along an upper sideportion of the seat back 2. The back frame 10 also includes a lowerframe 13 that forms a laterally long framework along a lower sideportion of the seat back 2.

Each of the side frames 11 is formed of a metal plate press-formedproduct formed in a shape elongated in a height direction. The sideframes 11 are arranged to face each other in the seat width direction. Afront edge and a rear edge of each of the side frames 11 are bent inwardin the seat width direction so as to form a frame shape whose crosssection is U-shaped.

The upper frame 12 is formed of a metal plate press-formed productformed in a shape elongated in the seat width direction. The upper frame12 has a frame shape that is opened rearward and has a U-shaped crosssection. The upper frame 12 is bridged between upper end portions of theside frames 11 and integrally welded thereto.

The lower frame 13 is formed of a metal plate press-formed productformed in a shape elongated in the seat width direction. A lower endportion of the lower frame 13 is curved forward so as to form a frameshape whose cross-section is J-shaped. The lower frame 13 is bridgedbetween lower end portions of the side frames 11 and integrally weldedthereto. Specifically, the lower frame 13 is welded across a flangeportion, which is bent inward in the seat width direction, of a lowerrear edge of each side frame 11, and a flange portion, which is bentinward in the seat width direction, of a lower front edge of each sideframe 11.

The cushion portion 20 includes the three divided elements, namely thetop main portion 21 that forms a cushion structure of the centralportion of the seat back 2 in the seat width direction, and the top sideportions 22 that form cushion structures of the both side portions ofthe seat back 2 in the seat width direction. The top main portion 21 andthe top side portions 22 are configured to be completely separated fromeach other, and are configured to be individually assembled and fixed tothe back frame 10 from the front.

(Top Main Portion 21)

As shown in FIGS. 3, 5, and 6, the top main portion 21 includes a mainpad 21A that is made of urethane foam, and a main cover 21B that is madeof fabric and covers an entire surface of the main pad 21A. The top mainportion 21 also includes a main panel 21C that is made of resin andprovided in a stacked manner along a back surface (rear surface) of anupper portion of the main pad 21A.

Here, the main pad 21A corresponds to a “seat pad” of the presentinvention. In addition, the main cover 21B corresponds to a “seat cover”of the present invention. In FIGS. 3, 5, and 6, only an outline of themain cover 21B is shown by thin lines, and an internal structure coveredby the main cover 21B is shown in a visualized manner.

The main pad 21A is set to be covered from the front across the upperframe 12 and the lower frame 13 of the back frame 10, and is formed in apad shape that is elongated in the height direction. More specifically,the main pad 21A is formed in a wide pad shape that can cover anin-frame region between the side frames 11 of the back frame 10 from thefront over most of the region in the seat width direction.

In addition, the main pad 21A has a shape whose upper edge portion andwhose lower edge portion extend rearward in an eaves-like protrudingshape. The main pad 21A is configured in such a manner that the upperedge portion and the lower edge portion thereof, which protruderearward, also cover a top of the upper frame 12 and a bottom of thelower frame 13 from the front.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 8, the main pad 21A is configured in such amanner that a seat surface in contact with the back of the seated personhas a relatively flat surface shape facing forward, and is capable ofelastically supporting the back of the seated person straight frombehind. As a result, the main pad 21A is configured to be capable ofelastically supporting the back of the seated person widely from behindin the in-frame region of the back frame 10.

With reference to FIG. 6, at the time of foam molding of the main pad21A, the main panel 21C is set in a mold to perform the foam molding,and thus the main pad 21A is formed in a state of being integrallyjoined to the main panel 21C. The main panel 21C is provided in astacked manner along the upper region of the main pad 21A, specifically,along the back surface (rear surface) of the upper region of the mainpad 21A that covers the upper frame 12 from the front, as shown in FIG.5.

As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, attachment pedestals 21C1, which protruderearward each in a pedestal shape, are formed at two positions, left andright, on a back surface of the main panel 21C. A clip CL, which is madeof resin, is inserted into each attachment pedestal 21C1 from the seatwidth direction inner side and is integrally mounted thereto. As aresult of the mounting, each clip CL is integrally fixed to eachattachment pedestal 21C1 in a state where a tip end of each clip CLprotrudes rearward from each attachment pedestal 21C1.

As shown in FIG. 5, when the top main portion 21 is assembled to theback frame 10, each clip CL is inserted from the front into eachcorresponding clip fitting hole 12A formed in a front portion of theupper frame 12. As a result, each clip CL is inserted into therespective clip fitting hole 12A of the upper frame 12 while beingelastically deformed, and is hooked on a peripheral edge of therespective clip fitting hole 12A due to an elastic force caused byrestoration so as to be integrally snap-fitted thereto.

As a result of the above snap-fitting, the main pad 21A is set in astate of covering from the front across the upper frame 12 and the lowerframe 13. The main panel 21C is formed with an eaves portion 21C2 thatprotrudes rearward in an eaves shape along a central upper edge portionof the main panel 21C.

The eaves portion 21C2 has a plate shape that extends in the seat widthdirection so as to be flush with a lower surface of an upper edgeportion, which protrudes rearward, of the main pad 21A. Each clip CL ofthe main panel 21C is inserted into the respective clip fitting hole 12Aof the upper frame 12 from the front and assembled thereto, and thus theeaves portion 21C2 is set to ride on the top of the upper frame 12. As aresult, the main panel 21C is configured such that a load in a gravitydirection applied to the top main portion 21 is transmitted from theeaves portion 21C2 onto the top of the upper frame 12, and is supportedby the upper frame 12 from below.

In the main panel 21C, cover fixing grooves 21C3 are formed in both leftand right edges of the main panel 21C and a rear edge of the eavesportion 21C2, and each of the cover fixing grooves 21C3 is recessed in astreak shape extending along each edge. The cover fixing grooves 21C3are each formed in a slit shape that is opened rearward, and serve asportions configured to fix ends, which are to be covered on an uppersurface and left and right side surfaces of the main pad 21A, of themain cover 21B. Specifically, a resin plate (not shown) coupled alongeach end of the main cover 21B is inserted into each cover fixing groove21C3 from behind, and thus each resin plate is hooked and fixed so asnot to be pulled out rearward by tension caused by stretching of themain cover 21B.

The main cover 21B covers the entire surface of the main pad 21A fromthe front, and ends on upper, lower, left, and right peripheral edgesides thereof are drawn toward a seat back side (rear side) throughupper, lower, left, and right peripheral surfaces of the main pad 21A.Ends, which are to be covered on the upper surface and the left andright side surfaces of the main pad 21A, of the main cover 21B are fixedto the cover fixing grooves 21C3 on the back side of the main panel 21Cby the resin plate (not shown).

In addition, an end, which is to be covered on a lower surface of themain pad 21A, of the main cover 21B is fastened by hooking a J-hook (notshown) coupled to the same end into a hooking groove (not shown) formedin a seat back side portion (rear portion) of the lower frame 13. Inaddition, the ends, which are to be covered on the left and right sidesurfaces of the main pad 21A, of the main cover 21B is fastened bycoupling to the back surface (rear surface) of the main pad 21A by acoupling tool such as a hook-and-loop fastener (not shown) at a portionwhere the resin plate (not shown) is not coupled.

(Top Side Portion 22)

As shown in FIGS. 3, 5, and 6, each top side portion 22 includes a sidepad 22A that is made of urethane foam, and a side cover 22B that is madeof fabric and covers an entire surface of the side pad 22A. Each topside portion 22 also includes a side panel 22C that is made of resin andprovided in a stacked manner over a wide region in the height directionalong a back surface (rear surface) of the side pad 22A.

Here, each side pad 22A corresponds to the “seat pad” of the presentinvention. In addition, each side cover 22B corresponds to the “seatcover” of the present invention. In FIGS. 3, 5, and 6, only an outlineof each side cover 22B is shown by thin lines, and an internal structurecovered by each side cover 22B is shown in a visualized manner.

Each side pad 22A is set to be covered from the front over an entireregion in the height direction of each side frame 11 of the back frame10, and is formed in a pad shape that is elongated in the heightdirection. Specifically, each side pad 22A has a pad shape that is setto be aligned side by side with the main pad 21A with a gap therebetweenin the seat width direction.

Each side pad 22A has a shape whose upper edge portion and whose loweredge portion extend rearward in an eaves-like protruding shape. Eachside pad 22A is configured in such a manner that the upper edge portionand the lower edge portion thereof, which protrude rearward, also coverthe top of the upper frame 12 and the bottom of the lower frame 13 ofthe back frame 10 from the front.

In addition, each side pad 22A has a shape whose inner edge portion andwhose outer edge portion in the seat width direction also extendrearward in eaves-like protruding shapes. Each side pad 22A isconfigured in such a manner that the inner edge portion and the outeredge portion thereof, which protrude rearward, also cover an inner sidesurface and an outer side surface of each side frame 11 in the seatwidth direction from the front.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 8, a seat surface of each side pad 22A, which isin contact with the back of the seated person, is arranged side by sidewith the seat surface of the main pad 21A, and has a bank-likeprotruding shape that protrudes obliquely forward from the inner sidetoward the outer side in the seat width direction. As a result, eachside pad 22A is configured to have a side support function capable ofelastically supporting the back of the seated person from a diagonallyrear outer side in the seat width direction.

With reference to FIG. 6, at the time of foam molding of the side pad22A, each corresponding side panel 22C is set in a mold to perform thefoam molding, and thus each side pad 22A is formed in a state of beingintegrally joined to each corresponding side panel 22C. As shown in FIG.5, each side panel 22C is provided in a stacked manner along most of aback surface region in the height direction, which covers each sideframe 11, of each side pad 22A.

Specifically, as shown in FIG. 8, each side panel 22C is provided in ashape that extends in the height direction and has a U-shaped crosssection along a concave surface shape recessed in the back surface ofeach side pad 22A. The recessed shape in the back surface of each sidepad 22A is a bank-like recessed shape conforming to the bank-likeprotruding seat surface shape of each side pad 22A.

Therefore, the bank-like protruding portion of each side pad 22A isstrongly supported in a planar manner from the seat back side along eachinclined surface of each bank by each side panel 22C that is provided inthe stacked manner along the bank-like concave surface shape of eachside pad 22A. As a result, each side pad 22A is strongly supported fromthe seat back side by each side panel 22C so that the bank-likeprotruding portion thereof is less likely to fall inward or outward inthe seat width direction.

Specifically, since each side pad 22A is supported in the planar shapefrom the seat back side by each side panel 22C, the load received fromthe back of the seated person can be received while body pressure iswidely distributed. For this reason, each top side portion 22 is capableof elastically supporting the back of the seated person with appropriatehardness from the diagonally rear outer side in the seat widthdirection. In addition, even if each top side portion 22 receives aforce that pushes inward and outward in the seat width direction whenthe seated person gets on and off the seat device 1 from a lateraldirection, the bank-like shape thereof is less likely to fall inward andoutward in the seat width direction.

When being assembled to each side frame 11 from the front, each sidepanel 22C is set in a state where the U-shaped cross section thereofcovers each side frame 11 from the front and from the inner and outersides in the seat width direction. As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, plate-likeribs 22C1 are formed side by side at intervals at a plurality oflocations in the height direction on a back surface of each side panel22C.

Each rib 22C1 is formed in a plate-like protruding shape inside the Ushape of each side panel 22C. Specifically, each rib 22C1 is formed in aU-shaped plate-like protruding shape that is connected to an inner wall,a front wall, and an outer wall of the U-shaped cross section of eachside panel 22C and is opened rearward.

With reference to FIG. 6, when each side panel 22C is assembled to eachside frame 11 from the front, each rib 22C1 is set such that a frontside portion of the U shape thereof faces a front edge portion of eachside frame 11 from the front, that is, the flange portion on the frontedge side bent inward in the seat width direction.

Then, an inner side portion (side abutment portion 22C2) of the U shapeof each rib 22C1 is set to face an edge portion, which is to be bent, ofthe flange portion on the front edge side of each side frame 11 from theseat width direction inner side. Further, an outer side portion of the Ushape of each rib 22C1 is set to face the outer side surface of eachside frame 11. As a result of the above assembly, in a region where theribs 22C1 are formed, each side panel 22C is capable of being abuttedagainst each side frame 11 from the front and from the inner and outersides in the seat width direction so as to transmit a load thereto.

As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, attachment pedestals 22C3, which protruderearward each in a pedestal shape, are formed at three positions in theheight direction on the back surface of each side panel 22C. The clipCL, which is made of resin, is inserted into each attachment pedestal22C3 from below, from above, or from the seat width direction innerside, and is integrally mounted thereto. As a result of the abovemounting, each clip CL is integrally fixed to each attachment pedestal22C3 in a state where a tip end of each clip CL protrudes rearward fromeach attachment pedestal 22C3.

As shown in FIG. 5, when each top side portion 22 is assembled to theback frame 10, each clip CL is inserted from the front into a clipfitting hole 11B of each corresponding bracket 11A coupled to each sideframe 11. As a result, each clip CL is inserted into the clip fittinghole 11B of the respective bracket 11A while being elastically deformed,and is hooked on a peripheral edge of the respective clip fitting hole11B due to an elastic force caused by restoration so as to be integrallysnap-fitted thereto.

As a result of the above snap-fitting, each side pad 22A is set in astate of covering each corresponding side frame 11 from the front. Here,among the three attachment pedestals 22C3 arranged in the heightdirection of each side panel 22C, two attachment pedestals 22C3 arrangedon an upper side and a lower side are respectively arranged on the outerside wall of the U-shaped cross section of each side panel 22C atpositions outward of positions where the corresponding ribs 22C1connected to the outer side wall are connected.

In addition, each attachment pedestal 22C3 that is disposed in themiddle in the height direction is disposed at an inner position on arear surface portion that extends inward in the seat width directionfrom a rear edge of the inner side wall of the U-shaped cross section ofeach side panel 22C. In this way, the attachment pedestals 22C3 have astaggered arrangement in which the one attachment pedestal 22C3 in themiddle is offset inward in the seat width direction relative to the twoattachment pedestals 22C3 on the upper and lower sides. Accordingly, theclips CL that are mounted to the respective attachment pedestals 22C3are also arranged in a staggered manner so as to be offset in the seatwidth direction.

Cover fixing grooves 22C4 are formed in the rear edge of the inner sidewall and a rear edge of the outer side wall of the U-shaped crosssection of each side panel 22C, and each of the cover fixing grooves22C4 is recessed in a streak shape extending along each edge. The coverfixing grooves 22C4 are each formed in a slit shape that is openedrearward, and serve as portions configured to fix ends, which are to becovered on left and right side surfaces of each side pad 22A, of eachside cover 22B. Specifically, a resin plate (not shown) coupled alongeach end of each side cover 22B is inserted into each cover fixinggroove 22C4 from behind, and thus each resin plate is hooked and fixedso as not to be pulled out rearward by tension caused by stretching ofeach side cover 22B.

As shown in FIG. 5, each side panel 22C is formed with a boss 22C5 thatprotrudes downward in a pedestal shape on an upper wall portionprotruding rearward in an eaves-like shape along an upper edge portionof each side pad 22A. When each top side portion 22 is assembled to theback frame 10, each boss 22C5 serves as a portion that is inserted fromabove and fitted into each corresponding boss hole 12B formed in leftand right end portions of the top of the upper frame 12.

As a result of the above fitting, the upper wall portions of the sidepanels 22C are set in a state of being abutted against the upper frame12 in the front, rear, left, and right directions so as to be restrictedfrom moving. Therefore, after each boss 22C5 is inserted into each bosshole 12B of the upper frame 12 from above, each clip CL are insertedinto the clip fitting hole 11B of each corresponding bracket 11A fromthe front and snap-fitted thereto, so that each boss 22C5 is fixed so asnot to be pulled out upward from each boss hole 12B of the upper frame12.

Each side cover 22B covers the entire surface of each corresponding sidepad 22A from the front, and ends on upper, lower, left, and rightperipheral edge sides thereof are drawn toward the seat back side (rearside) through upper, lower, left, and right peripheral surfaces of eachcorresponding side pad 22A. Ends, which are to be covered on the leftand right side surfaces of each side pad 22A, of each side cover 22B arefixed to the cover fixing grooves 22C4 on the back side of eachcorresponding side panel 22C by the resin plate (not shown).

In addition, an end, which is to be covered on an upper surface of eachside pad 22A, of each side cover 22B is fastened by hooking a J-hook(not shown) coupled to the same end on a hook portion (not shown)coupled to a seat back side portion (rear portion) of the upper frame12. In addition, an end, which is to be covered on a lower surface ofeach side pad 22A, of each side cover 22B is fastened by hooking aJ-hook (not shown) coupled to the same end on a hook portion (not shown)coupled to a seat back side portion (rear portion) of the lower frame13.

(Assembly of Top Main Portion 21 and Each Top Side Portion 22)

The top main portion 21 and the top side portions 22 constituting thecushion portion 20 are assembled to the back frame 10 from the front bythe following procedure. First, each top side portion 22 of the cushionportion 20 is assembled to the back frame 10 in order from the frontearlier than the top main portion 21.

Each top side portion 22 is assembled to the back frame 10 in amodularized state where each side pad 22A is covered with eachcorresponding side cover 22B, and the resin plate (not shown) coupled tothe end of each side cover 22B is fastened to each cover fixing groove22C4 on the back side of each side panel 22C. In addition, the top mainportion 21 is also assembled to the back frame 10 in a modularized statewhere the main pad 21A is covered with the main cover 21B, and the resinplate (not shown) coupled to the end of the main cover 21B is fastenedto each cover fixing groove 21C3 on the back side of the main panel 21C.

Specifically, first, each top side portion 22 is brought close to theback frame 10 from the front, and the bosses 22C5 formed on the upperwall portion of each side panel 22C are inserted into the correspondingboss holes 12B formed in the left and right end portions of the upperframe 12 in order from above and fitted therein. As a result, the bosses22C5 of the top side portions 22 are engaged with the left and right endportions of the upper frame 12, respectively.

Next, each side panel 22C is pressed against each side frame 11 in orderfrom the front while portions where the bosses 22C5 are fitted serve asfulcrums. As a result, each clip CL mounted to the back surface of eachside panel 22C is inserted from the front into the clip fitting hole 11Bof each corresponding bracket 11A coupled to each side frame 11, and isintegrally snap-fitted thereto.

As a result of the above assembly, each top side portion 22 isintegrally assembled to the back frame 10. Next, the end of the upperedge side of the side cover 22B of each top side portion 22 is drawntoward the back side of the upper frame 12, and is hooked and fastenedto the hook portion (not shown). Then, the end of the lower edge side ofthe side cover 22B of each top side portion 22 is drawn toward the backside of the lower frame 13, and is hooked and fastened to the hookgroove (not shown).

As a result of the above assembly, each top side portion 22 isintegrally assembled to each side frame 11. In this way, although it isnecessary to extend a part of each top side portion 22 rearward relativeto the back frame 10, each top side portion 22 is easily assembled onlyby access from the front.

As a result of the above assembly, each top side portion 22 is broughtinto a state of being firmly supported by each side frame 11 from theseat back side. Specifically, each top side portion 22 is integrallyfixed to each side frame 11 by each of the clips CL that are arranged inthe staggered manner at the three portions in the height direction.

In addition, each top side portion 22 is set in a state where the sideabutment portion 22C2 of each side panel 22C is abutted against eachside frame 11 from the seat width direction inner side so as to allowtransmission of loads. Therefore, each top side portion 22 can stronglysupport a load received from the back of the seated person in thelateral direction from the inner side toward the outer side in the seatwidth direction by a fixing structure of the clips CL arranged in thestaggered manner, and can also appropriately transmit the load from eachside abutment portion 22C2 to each side frame 11 so as to receive theload in a widely distributed manner.

Next, the top main portion 21 is assembled to the back frame 10 from thefront. Specifically, first, the top main portion 21 is brought close tothe back frame 10 from the front, and each of the clips CL mounted tothe two left and right portions of the main panel 21C is inserted intoeach corresponding clip fitting hole 12A formed in the front portion ofthe upper frame 12 from the front so as to be integrally snap-fittedthereto.

At the time of the above assembly, the top main portion 21 is set to befitted from the front between the top side portions 22 previouslyassembled to the back frame 10, and thus an assembly position is roughlyguided by the top side portions 22. As a result of the above assembly,the main pad 21A of the top main portion 21 is set in the state ofcovering from the front across the upper frame 12 and the lower frame13. In addition, the eaves portion 21C2 of the main panel 21C is set toride on the top of the upper frame 12.

Next, the end of the lower edge side of the main cover 21B is drawntoward the back side of the lower frame 13, and is hooked and fastenedto the hook groove (not shown). As a result of the above assembly, thetop main portion 21 is integrally assembled across the upper frame 12and the lower frame 13. In this way, although it is necessary to extenda part of the top main portion 21 rearward relative to the back frame10, the top main portion 21 is easily assembled only by access from thefront.

As a result of the above assembly, the top main portion 21 is in a statewhere an upper portion and a lower portion thereof are firmly supportedby the upper frame 12 and the lower frame 13 from the seat back side,respectively. In addition, the top main portion 21 is elasticallysupported in a planar manner from the seat back side by a contour mat(not shown) bridged between the upper frame 12 and the lower frame 13 inan in-frame region therebetween. As a result, the top main portion 21can softly support the load received from the back of the seated personfrom the seat back side in the in-frame region between the upper frame12 and the lower frame 13.

As described above, the top main portion 21 and the top side portions22, which are constituent elements of the cushion portion 20, can beeasily assembled to the back frame 10 only by access from the frontwithout requiring an operator who assembles the cushion portion 20 to goaround to the rear of the back frame 10. Therefore, directions in whichthe cushion portion 20 is assembled to the back frame 10 are unified,and thus ease of the assembly can be improved.

The top main portion 21 and the top side portions 22 constituting thecushion portion 20 are completely separated from each other, and areconfigured to elastically support the back of the seated personindividually. Therefore, in the cushion portion 20, even when the backof the seated person is strongly pressed against the seat back 2 fromthe front and the top main portion 21 is strongly pushed rearward at thetime of occurrence of a rear collision of a vehicle, the top sideportions 22 are not pulled rearward by the top main portion 21.

Therefore, as compared with a configuration in which the top sideportions 22 are connected to the top main portion 21, the top mainportion 21 can sink further rearward in response to the load receivedfrom the back of the seated person. For this reason, when the rearcollision of the vehicle occurs, as compared to a configuration in whichsinking of the back of the seated person is stopped at a relativelyearly stage, it can be difficult for a head to tilt rearward in awhiplash manner with the back serving as a fulcrum.

As shown in FIG. 8, each divided surface M, which is a boundary surfacebetween the top main portion 21 and each top side portion 22, has a bentdivided surface shape as follows. That is, each divided surface M has asurface shape that includes: a first divided surface M1 that extendsfrom the seat front side toward the seat back side; and a second dividedsurface M2 that is bent obliquely inward in the seat width directionfrom a seat back side extending tip of the first divided surface M1, andextends toward the seat back side.

With such a configuration, even if a foreign object or a finger of auser enters space between the top main portion 21 and each top sideportion 22 from the seat front side, the foreign object or the finger ofthe user is easily restricted from entering deep at a bent portionbetween the first divided surface M1 and the second divided surface M2.Specifically, the first divided surface M1 is raised relative to thesecond divided surface M2 in the front-rear direction, and thus forms asurface shape, which extends from the seat front side to the seat backside, of each divided surface M.

In addition, a position where the second divided surface M2 of eachdivided surface M is bent from the extending tip of the first dividedsurface M1 is a position located on the seat back side relative to acenter in a thickness direction (front-rear direction) of the top mainportion 21. Due to the above divided structure, the top main portion 21can be supported on the second divided surfaces M2 on both left andright sides thereof obliquely from the seat back side by each top sideportion 22.

The side pad 22A of each top side portion 22 is made of urethane foamthat is harder than the main pad 21A of the top main portion 21. Forthis reason, the cushion portion 20 can support the back of the seatedperson relatively softly from behind by the top main portion 21, and canside-support the back of the seated person with appropriate hardness byeach top side portion 22.

Specifically, since the cushion portion 20 has the above dividedstructure, urethane foams with different hardness can be appropriatelyseparated and provided in the top main portion 21 and each top sideportion 22 without being mixed at a boundary portion therebetween. Inaddition, since each top side portion 22 is harder than the top mainportion 21, the foreign object or the finger of the user can be moreappropriately restricted from entering deep at the bent portion betweenthe first divided surface M1 and the second divided surface M2.

The main cover 21B of the top main portion 21 is configured in such amanner that a top cover piece B1 stretched over the seat surface thereofand divided surface cover pieces B3 stretched over the left and rightdivided surfaces M are sewn together into a single piece. The top coverpiece B1 includes extension portions B2 that extend on peripheral edgeson left and right sides thereof so as to be stretched onto the firstdivided surface M1 of each divided surface M, and includes a sewnportion B4 where an edge portion of each extension portion B2 and anedge portion of each divided surface cover piece B3 are sewn on eachfirst divided surface M1.

Similarly, the side cover 22B of each top side portion 22 is alsoconfigured in such a manner that the top cover piece B1 stretched overthe seat surface thereof and the divided surface cover piece B3stretched over the divided surface M between the top main portion 21 andeach top side portion 22 are sewn together into a single piece. Each topcover piece B1 includes the extension portion B2 that extends so as tobe stretched onto the first divided surface M1 of the divided surface M,and includes the sewn portion B4 where the edge portion of eachextension portion B2 and the edge portion of each divided surface coverpiece B3 are sewn on each first divided surface M1. In this way, sinceeach sewn portion B4 is provided on the divided surface M separated fromthe seat surface, sitting comfort and appearance quality of the cushionportion 20 can be less likely to be impaired.

(Seat Cushion 3)

Next, a configuration of the seat cushion 3 will be described withreference to FIGS. 9 to 16. As shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, the seat cushion3 includes the metal cushion frame 30 that forms an internal frameworkthereof, and the cushion portion 40 that is assembled to the cushionframe 30 and elastically supports the load of the seated person. Asshown in FIGS. 11 and 12, the cushion frame 30 is configured to beassembled in a vertically long frame shape in a plan view.

Specifically, the cushion frame 30 includes a pair of left and rightlower arms 31 that form a framework elongated in the front-reardirection along left and right side portions of the seat cushion 3. Thecushion frame 30 also includes a pair of left and right tilt arms 32that are assembled on front portions of the respective lower arms 31 soas to be rotatable in the height direction and are elongated in thefront-rear direction. The cushion frame 30 also includes a tilt panel 33that is formed of a laterally long panel material integrally bridgedbetween front end portions of the respective tilt arms 32. The tiltpanel 33 forms a laterally long framework along a front side portion ofthe seat cushion 3.

The tilt panel 33 is configured in such a manner that each tilt arm 32is rotationally driven in the height direction relative to each lowerarm 31 by a drive unit (not shown) in order to change an upright angle(seating surface angle) relative to each lower arm 31 (tilt mechanism8). Specifically, the tilt panel 33 is configured to be switchablebetween a flat position where the tilt panel 33 is flush with an uppersurface of each lower arm 31 together with each tilt arm 32, and aninclined position where the tilt panel 33 forms a forward rising anglerelative to each lower arm 31 by pulling up and rotating each tilt arm32 from the flat position.

The cushion frame 30 also includes a front pipe 34 integrally bridgedbetween the front portions of the lower arms 31 and a rear pipe 35integrally bridged between rear portions of the lower arms 31. Each ofthe lower arms 31 is formed of a metal plate press-formed product formedin a shape elongated in the front-rear direction. The lower arms 31 arearranged to face each other in the seat width direction. An upper edgeand a lower edge of each of the lower arms 31 are bent rightward so asto from a frame shape whose cross section is U-shaped.

Each of the tilt arms 32 is also formed of a metal plate press-formedproduct formed in a shape elongated in the front-rear direction. Eachtilt arm 32 is configured to form a frame shape having a stepped crosssection. Specifically, each tilt arm 32 has a shape that includes afirst top portion 32A, a first side portion 32B, a second top portion32C, and a second side portion 32D.

Each first top portion 32A has a plate shape elongated in the front-reardirection along the upper surface of each lower arm 31. Each first topportion 32A has a plate shape protruding outward in the seat widthdirection from the upper surface of each lower arm 31.

Each first side portion 32B has a plate shape extending in a hangingmanner from an inner edge portion in the seat width direction of eachfirst top portion 32A. Each first side portion 32B faces each lower arm31 from the seat width direction inner side, and is configured such thata rear end portion thereof is pin-joined to each lower arm 31 in arotatable manner. Each tilt arm 32 is connected to each lower arm 31 byeach pin joint so as to be rotatable in the height direction.

Each second top portion 32C has a plate shape that extends in a bentshape from a lower edge portion of each first side portion 32B towardthe seat width direction inner side. Each second top portion 32C has aplate shape elongated in the front-rear direction at a position locatedon the seat width direction inner side below each lower arm 31. Eachsecond side portion 32D has a plate shape extending in a hanging mannerfrom an inner edge portion in the seat width direction of each secondtop portion 32C.

The tilt panel 33 is formed of a metal plate press-formed product formedin a shape elongated in the seat width direction. The tilt panel 33 isbridged between front end portions of the first top portions 32A of thetilt arms 32 and integrally welded thereto.

The cushion portion 40 includes the three divided elements, namely thetop main portion 41 that forms a cushion structure of the centralportion of the seat cushion 3 in the seat width direction, and the topside portions 42 that form cushion structures of the both side portionsof the seat cushion 3 in the seat width direction. The top main portion41 and the top side portions 42 are configured to be completelyseparated from each other, and are configured to be individuallyassembled and fixed to the cushion frame 30 from above.

(Top Main Portion 41)

As shown in FIGS. 10, 12, and 13, the top main portion 41 includes amain pad 41A that is made of urethane foam, and a main cover 41B that ismade of fabric and covers an entire surface of the main pad 41A. The topmain portion 41 also includes a main panel 41C that is made of resin andprovided in a stacked manner along a back surface (lower surface) of afront portion of the main pad 41A.

Here, the main pad 41A corresponds to the “seat pad” of the presentinvention. In addition, the main cover 41B corresponds to the “seatcover” of the present invention. In FIGS. 10, 12, and 13, only anoutline of the main cover 41B is shown by thin lines, and an internalstructure covered by the main cover 41B is shown in a visualized manner.

The main pad 41A is set to be covered from above across the tilt panel33 and the rear pipe 35 of the cushion frame 30, and is formed in a padshape that is elongated in the front-rear direction. More specifically,the main pad 41A is formed in a wide pad shape that can cover anin-frame region between the lower arms 31 of the cushion frame 30 fromabove over most of the region in the seat width direction.

In addition, the main pad 41A has a shape whose front edge portion andwhose rear edge portion extend downward in an eaves-like protrudingshape. The main pad 41A is configured in such a manner that the frontedge portion and the rear edge portion thereof, which protrude downward,also cover a front surface of the tilt panel 33 and a rear surface ofthe rear pipe 35 from above.

As shown in FIGS. 9, 15 and 16, the main pad 41A is configured in such amanner that a seat surface in contact with the buttocks of the seatedperson has a relatively flat surface shape facing upward, and is capableof elastically supporting the buttocks of the seated person straightfrom behind. As a result, the main pad 41A is configured to be capableof elastically supporting the buttocks of the seated person widely frombelow in the in-frame region of the cushion frame 30.

With reference to FIG. 13, at the time of foam molding of the main pad41A, the main panel 41C is set in a mold to perform the foam molding,and thus the main pad 41A is formed in a state of being integrallyjoined to the main panel 41C. The main panel 41C is provided in astacked manner along the front region of the main pad 41A, specifically,along the back surface (lower surface) of the front region of the mainpad 41A that covers the tilt panel 33 from above, as shown in FIG. 12.

As shown in FIGS. 12 and 13, attachment pedestals 41C1, which protrudedownward each in a pedestal shape, are formed at two positions, left andright, on a back surface of the main panel 41C. A clip CL, which is madeof resin, is inserted into each attachment pedestal 41C1 from behind andis integrally mounted thereto. As a result of the above mounting, eachclip CL is integrally fixed to each attachment pedestal 41C1 in a statewhere a tip end of each clip CL protrudes downward from each attachmentpedestal 41C1.

As shown in FIG. 12, when the top main portion 41 is assembled to thecushion frame 30, each clip CL is inserted from above into eachcorresponding clip fitting hole 33A formed in the tilt panel 33. As aresult, each clip CL is inserted into the respective clip fitting hole33A of the tilt panel 33 while being elastically deformed, and is hookedon a peripheral edge of the respective clip fitting hole 33A due to anelastic force caused by restoration so as to be integrally snap-fittedthereto.

As a result of the above snap-fitting, the main pad 41A is set in astate of covering from above across the tilt panel 33 and the rear pipe35. The main panel 41C is formed with a pair of left and right hookportions 41C2 that protrude downward from a central front edge portionof the main panel 41C.

Each hook portion 41C2 has a plate shape that extends in the seat widthdirection so as to be flush with a rear surface of the front edgeportion, which protrudes downward, of the main pad 41A. Each clip CL ofthe main panel 41C is inserted into each clip fitting hole 33A of thetilt panel 33 from above and assembled thereto, and thus each hookportion 41C2 is hooked on a front edge of the tilt panel 33 from belowand integrally snap-fitted thereto.

Specifically, as each clip CL is inserted, each hook portion 41C2 ispressed against the front edge of the tilt panel 33, pushed downwardwhile being elastically deformed, hooked from below onto the front edgeof the tilt panel 33 by the elastic force caused by the restoration, andis integrally snap-fitted thereto. As a result, a front edge of the mainpanel 41C is also integrally fixed to the tilt panel 33.

The main cover 41B covers the entire surface of the main pad 41A fromabove, and ends on front, rear, left, and right peripheral edge sidesthereof are drawn toward the seat back side (lower side) through front,rear, left, and right peripheral surfaces of the main pad 41A. Ends,which are to be covered on left and right side surfaces of the main pad41A, of the main cover 41B are fastened by coupling to the back surface(lower surface) of the main pad 41A by a coupling tool such as ahook-and-loop fastener (not shown).

In addition, an end, which is to be covered on a front surface of themain pad 41A, of the main cover 41B is fastened by hooking a J-hook (notshown) coupled to the same end on a hook portion (not shown) provided ona seat back side portion (lower portion) of the tilt panel 33. Inaddition, an end, which is to be covered on a rear surface of the mainpad 41A, of the main cover 41B is fastened by hooking a J-hook (notshown) coupled to the same end from behind onto an S-spring (not shown)bridged between the rear pipe 35 and the front pipe 34.

(Top Side Portion 42)

As shown in FIGS. 10, 12, and 13, each top side portion 42 includes aside pad 42A that is made of urethane foam, and a side cover 42B that ismade of fabric and covers an entire surface of the side pad 42A. Eachtop side portion 42 also includes a side panel 42C that is made of resinand provided in a stacked manner over a wide region in the front-reardirection along a back surface (lower surface) of the side pad 42A.

Here, each side pad 42A corresponds to the “seat pad” of the presentinvention. In addition, each side cover 42B corresponds to the “seatcover” of the present invention. In FIGS. 10, 12, and 13, only anoutline of each side cover 42B is shown by thin lines, and an internalstructure covered by each side cover 42B is shown in a visualizedmanner.

Each side pad 42A is set to be covered from above over an entire regionin the front-rear direction across each lower arm 31 and each tilt arm32 of the cushion frame 30, and is formed in a pad shape that iselongated in the front-rear direction. Specifically, each side pad 42Ahas a pad shape that is set to be aligned side by side with the main pad41A with a gap therebetween in the seat width direction.

Each side pad 42A has a shape whose front edge portion and whose rearedge portion extend downward in an eaves-like protruding shape. Eachside pad 42A is configured in such a manner that the front edge portionand the rear edge portion thereof, which protrude downward, also coverthe tilt panel 33 and the rear pipe 35 of the cushion frame 30 fromabove.

In addition, each side pad 42A has a shape whose inner edge portion andwhose outer edge portion in the seat width direction also extenddownward in eaves-like protruding shapes. Each side pad 42A isconfigured in such a manner that the inner edge portion and the outeredge portion thereof, which protrude downward, also cover inner sidesurfaces and outer side surfaces of each lower arm 31 and each tilt arm32 in the seat width direction from above.

As shown in FIGS. 9, 15 and 16, a seat surface of each side pad 42A,which is in contact with the buttocks of the seated person, is arrangedside by side with the seat surface of the main pad 41A, and has abank-like protruding shape that protrudes obliquely upward from theinner side toward the outer side in the seat width direction. As aresult, each side pad 42A is configured to have a side support functioncapable of elastically supporting the buttocks of the seated person froma diagonally lower outer side in the seat width direction.

With reference to FIG. 13, at the time of foam molding of the side pad42A, each corresponding side panel 42C is set in a mold to perform thefoam molding, and thus each side pad 42A is formed in a state of beingintegrally joined to each corresponding side panel 42C. As shown in FIG.12, each side panel 42C is provided in a stacked manner along most of aback surface region in the front-rear direction, which covers each lowerarm 31 and each tilt arm 32, of each side pads 42A.

Specifically, as shown in FIGS. 15 and 16, each side panel 42C isprovided in a shape that extends in the front-rear direction and has aU-shaped cross section along a concave surface shape recessed in theback surface of each side pad 42A. The recessed shape in the backsurface of each side pad 42A is a bank-like recessed shape conforming tothe bank-like protruding seat surface shape of each side pad 42A.

Therefore, the bank-like protruding portion of each side pad 42A isstrongly supported in a planar manner from the seat back side along eachinclined surface of each bank by each side panel 42C that is provided inthe stacked manner along the bank-like concave surface shape of eachside pad 42A. As a result, each side pad 42A is strongly supported fromthe seat back side by each side panel 42C so that the bank-likeprotruding portion thereof is less likely to fall inward or outward inthe seat width direction.

Specifically, since each side pad 42A is supported in the planar shapefrom the seat back side by each side panel 42C, the load received fromthe buttocks of the seated person can be received while body pressure iswidely distributed. For this reason, each top side portion 42 is capableof elastically supporting the buttocks of the seated person withappropriate hardness from the diagonally lower outer side in the seatwidth direction. In addition, even if each top side portion 42 receivesa force that pushes inward and outward in the seat width direction whenthe seated person gets on and off the seat device 1 from the lateraldirection, the bank-like shape thereof is less likely to fall inward andoutward in the seat width direction.

When being assembled to each lower arm 31 and each tilt arm 32 fromabove, each side panel 42C is set in a state where the U-shaped crosssection thereof covers each lower arm 31 and each tilt arm 32 from aboveand from the inner and outer sides in the seat width direction. As shownin FIGS. 12 and 13, plate-like ribs 42C1 are formed side by side atintervals at a plurality of locations in the front-rear direction on aback surface of each side panel 42C.

Each rib 42C1 is formed in a plate-like protruding shape inside the Ushape of each side panel 42C. Specifically, each rib 42C1 is formed inan L-shaped plate-like protruding shape that is connected to an innerwall and an upper wall of the U-shaped cross section of each side panel42C.

With reference to FIG. 13, when each side panel 42C is assembled to eachlower arm 31 and each tilt arm 32 from above, each rib 42C1 is set suchthat an upper side portion of the L shape thereof faces upper edgeportions of each lower arm 31 and each tilt arm 32 from above, that is,flange portions on upper edge sides bent inward in the seat widthdirection.

Then, an inner side portion (side abutment portion 42C2) of the L shapeof each rib 42C1 is set to face seat width direction inner side surfacesof each lower arm 31 and each tilt arm 32. Specifically, the inner sideportion (side abutment portion 42C2) of the L shape of each rib 42C1 isset to face the first side portion 32B (see FIGS. 15 and 16) from theseat width direction inner side relative to each tilt arm 32. As aresult of the above assembly, in a region where the ribs 42C1 areformed, each side panel 42C is capable of being abutted against eachlower arm 31 and each tilt arm 32 from above and from the seat widthdirection inner side so as to transmit a load thereto.

As shown in FIGS. 12 and 13, attachment pedestals 42C3, which protrudedownward each in a pedestal shape, are formed at three positions in thefront-rear direction on the back surface of each side panel 42C. A clipCL, which is made of resin, is inserted into each attachment pedestal42C3 from the front or from behind, and is integrally mounted thereto.As a result of the above mounting, each clip CL is integrally fixed toeach attachment pedestal 42C3 in a state where a tip end of each clip CLprotrudes downward from each attachment pedestal 42C3.

As shown in FIG. 12, when each top side portion 42 is assembled to thecushion frame 30 from above, each clip CL is inserted from above intoeach corresponding clip fitting hole 32E formed in each tilt arm 32. Asa result, each clip CL is inserted into the respective clip fitting hole32E while being elastically deformed, and is hooked on a peripheral edgeof the respective clip fitting hole 32E due to an elastic force causedby restoration so as to be integrally snap-fitted thereto.

As a result of the above snap-fitting, each side pad 42A is set in astate of covering from above across each corresponding lower arm 31 andtilt arm 32. Each attachment pedestal 42C3 is formed on an outer edgeconnected to an outer side wall of the U-shaped cross section of eachside panel 42C. Therefore, as a result of the above snap-fitting of eachclip CL, the outer edge of each side panel 42C is integrally fixed toeach corresponding tilt arm 32.

Each side panel 42C is formed with hook portions 42C5 that protrudedownward from lower edge portions at two positions, front and rear, onthe inner side wall of the U-shaped cross section of each side panel42C. Each clip CL of each side panel 42C is inserted into each clipfitting hole 32E of each corresponding tilt arm 32 from above andassembled thereto, and thus each hook portion 42C5 is hooked onto thesecond side portion 32D of each corresponding tilt arm 32 from below andis integrally snap-fitted thereto (see FIG. 15).

Specifically, as each clip CL is inserted, each hook portion 42C5 ispressed against the second side portion 32D of each tilt arms 32, pusheddownward while being elastically deformed, hooked from below onto eachsecond side portion 32D by an elastic force caused by restoration, andis integrally snap-fitted thereto. As a result, an inner side edge ofeach side panel 42C is also integrally fixed to each corresponding tiltarm 32.

As shown in FIG. 13, each side panel 42C is formed with a boss 42C6 thatprotrudes downward in a cylindrical shape between the first and secondattachment pedestals 42C3 from behind on the back surface of each sidepanel 42C. As shown in FIGS. 12 and 17, when each top side portion 42 isassembled to the cushion frame 30 from above, each boss 42C6 is aportion that is inserted from above and fitted into each correspondingboss hole 32F formed in each tilt arm 32. As a result of the abovefitting, the side panels 42C are set in a state of being abutted againstthe tilt arms 32 in the front, rear, left and right directions so as tobe restricted from moving.

As shown in FIGS. 13 and 14, the attachment pedestals 42C3 where theclips CL are mounted, the hook portions 42C5, and the bosses 42C6 on theleft and right sides are arranged at positions offset from each other inthe front-rear direction. In addition, the attachment pedestals 42C3,the bosses 42C6, and the hook portions 42C5 on the left and right sidesare also offset from each other in the seat width direction so as toform a staggered arrangement.

Cover fixing grooves 42C4 are formed in the lower edge of the inner sidewall and a lower edge of the outer side wall of the U-shaped crosssection of each side panel 42C, and each of the cover fixing grooves42C4 is recessed in a streak shape extending along each edge. The coverfixing grooves 42C4 are each formed in a slit shape that is openeddownward, and serve as portions configured to fix ends, which are to becovered on left and right side surfaces of each side pad 42A, of eachside cover 42B. Specifically, a resin plate (not shown) coupled alongeach end of each side cover 42B is inserted into each cover fixinggroove 42C4 from below, and thus each resin plate is hooked and fixed soas not to be pulled out downward by tension caused by stretching of eachside cover 42B.

Each side cover 42B covers the entire surface of each corresponding sidepad 42A from above, and ends on front, rear, left, and right peripheraledge sides thereof are drawn toward the seat back side (lower side)through front, rear, left, and right peripheral surfaces of eachcorresponding side pad 42A. Ends, which are to be covered on the leftand right side surfaces of each side pad 42A, of each side cover 42B arefixed to the cover fixing grooves 42C4 on the back side of eachcorresponding side panel 42C by the resin plate (not shown).

In addition, an end, which is to be covered on a front surface of eachside pad 42A, of each side cover 42B is fastened by hooking a J-hook(not shown) coupled to the same end on a hook portion (not shown)provided on the seat back side portion (lower portion) of the tilt panel33. In addition, an end, which is to be covered on a rear surface ofeach side pad 42A, of each side cover 42B is fastened by hooking aJ-hook (not shown) coupled to the same end on a hook portion fixed to aseat back side portion (lower portion) of the rear pipe 35.

(Assembly of Top Main Portion 41 and Each Top Side Portion 42)

The top main portion 41 and the top side portions 42 constituting thecushion portion 40 are assembled to the cushion frame 30 from above bythe following procedure. First, each top side portion 42 of the cushionportion 40 is assembled to the cushion frame 30 in order from aboveearlier than the top main portion 41.

Each top side portion 42 is assembled to the cushion frame 30 in amodularized state where each side pad 42A is covered with eachcorresponding side cover 42B, and the resin plate (not shown) coupled tothe end of each side cover 42B is fastened to each cover fixing groove42C4 on the back side of each side panel 42C. In addition, the top mainportion 41 is also assembled to the cushion frame 30 in a modularizedstate where the main pad 41A is covered with the main cover 41B, andboth left and right ends of the main cover 41B are coupled to the backsurface (lower surface) of the main pad 41A by a coupling tool such as ahook-and-loop fastener (not shown).

Specifically, first, each top side portion 42 is brought close to thecushion frame 30 from above, and each clip CL mounted to the backsurface of each side panel 42C is inserted into each corresponding clipfitting hole 32E formed in each tilt arm 32 from above so as to beintegrally snap-fitted thereto. As a result, each hook portion 42C5formed on the lower edge of the inner side wall of each side panel 42Cis also hooked on a lower edge of the second side portion 32D of eachtilt arm 32 and are integrally snap-fitted thereto.

In addition, each boss 42C6 formed on the back surface of each sidepanel 42C is also inserted into each corresponding boss hole 32F formedin each tilt arm 32 from above and fitted therein. As a result of theabove assembly, each top side portion 42 is integrally assembled to thecushion frame 30.

Next, the end of the front edge side of the side cover 42B of each topside portion 42 is drawn toward the back side of the tilt panel 33, andis hooked and fastened to the hook portion (not shown). Then, the end ofthe rear edge side of the side cover 42B of each top side portion 42 isdrawn toward the back side of the rear pipe 35, and is hooked andfastened to the hook portion coupled to the rear pipe 35.

As a result of the above assembly, each top side portion 42 isintegrally assembled to the cushion frame 30. In this way, although itis necessary to extend a part of each top side portion 42 downwardrelative to the cushion frame 30, each top side portion 42 is easilyassembled only by access from above.

As a result of the above assembly, each top side portion 42 is broughtinto a state of being firmly supported by each tilt arm 32 and eachlower arm 31 from the seat back side. Specifically, each top sideportion 42 is assembled to the cushion frame 30 so as to be movablefollowing a tilting operation of the tilt panel 33.

Each top side portion 42 is integrally fixed to each tilt arm 32 by eachof the hooking portions 42C5, the clips CL, and the bosses 42C6, whichare arranged in the staggered manner offset in the seat width direction.In addition, each top side portion 42 is set in a state where the sideabutment portion 42C2 of each side panel 42C is abutted against eachtilt arm 32 and each lower arm 31 from the seat width direction innerside so as to allow transmission of loads. Therefore, each top sideportion 42 can strongly support a load received from the buttocks of theseated person in the lateral direction from the inner side toward theouter side in the seat width direction by a fixing structure of each ofthe clips CL, the hook portions 42C5, and the bosses 42C6 arranged inthe staggered manner, and can also appropriately transmit the load fromeach side abutment portion 42C2 to each tilt arm 32 and each lower arm31 so as to receive the load in a widely distributed manner.

Next, the top main portion 41 is assembled to the cushion frame 30 fromabove. Specifically, first, the top main portion 41 is brought close tothe cushion frame 30 from above, and each of the clips CL mounted to thetwo left and right portions of the main panel 41C is inserted into eachcorresponding clip fitting hole 33A formed in the tilt panel 33 fromabove so as to be integrally snap-fitted thereto.

At the time of the above assembly, the top main portion 41 is set to befitted from above between the top side portions 42 previously assembledto the cushion frame 30, and thus an assembly position is roughly guidedby the top side portions 42. As a result of the above assembly, the mainpad 41A of the top main portion 41 is set in the state of covering fromabove across the tilt panel 33 and the rear pipe 35. In addition, eachhook portion 41C2 of the main panel 41C is hooked on the front edge ofthe tilt panel 33 and integrally snap-fitted thereto.

Next, the end of the front edge side of the main cover 41B is drawntoward the back side of the tilt panel 33, and is hooked and fastened tothe hook portion (not shown). Then, the end on the rear edge side of themain cover 41B is drawn toward the back side of the rear pipe 35, and ishooked and fastened from behind to an S-spring (not shown) bridgedbetween the rear pipe 35 and the front pipe 34.

As a result of the above assembly, the top main portion 41 is integrallyassembled across the tilt panel 33 and the rear pipe 35. In this way,although it is necessary to extend a part of the top main portion 41downward relative to the cushion frame 30, the top main portion 41 iseasily assembled only by access from above.

As a result of the above assembly, the top main portion 41 is in a statewhere a front portion and a rear portion thereof are firmly supported bythe tilt panel 33 and the rear pipe 35, respectively, from the seat backside. Specifically, the top main portion 41 is assembled to the cushionframe 30 so as to be movable following the tilting operation of the tiltpanel 33.

In addition, the top main portion 41 is elastically supported in aplanar manner from the seat back side by a plurality of S-springs (notshown) bridged between the tilt panel 33 and the rear pipe 35 in anin-frame region therebetween. As a result, the top main portion 41 cansoftly support the load received from the buttocks of the seated personfrom the seat back side in the in-frame region between the tilt panel 33and the rear pipe 35.

As described above, the top main portion 41 and the top side portions42, which are constituent elements of the cushion portion 40, can beeasily assembled to the cushion frame 30 only by access from abovewithout requiring an operator who assembles the cushion portion 40 to goaround to the lower side of the cushion frame 30. Therefore, directionsin which the cushion portion 40 is assembled to the cushion frame 30 areunified, and thus ease of the assembly can be improved.

The top main portion 41 and the top side portions 42 constituting thecushion portion 40 are completely separated from each other, and areconfigured to elastically support the buttocks of the seated personindividually. Therefore, in the cushion portion 40, even when the topmain portion 41 is strongly pushed rearward and obliquely downward bythe buttocks of the seated person at the time of the occurrence of therear collision of the vehicle, the top side portions 42 are not pulleddownward by the top main portion 41.

Therefore, as compared with a configuration in which the top sideportions 42 are connected to the top main portion 41, the top mainportion 41 can sink further downward in response to the load receivedfrom the buttocks of the seated person. For this reason, when the rearcollision of the vehicle occurs, as compared to a configuration in whichsinking of the buttocks of the seated person is stopped at a relativelyearly stage, it can be difficult for the back of the seated person toslide upward along the seat back 2.

As shown in FIGS. 15 and 16, each divided surface N, which is a boundarysurface between the top main portion 41 and each top side portion 42,has a bent divided surface shape as follows. That is, each dividedsurface N has a surface shape that includes: a first divided surface N1that extends from the seat front side toward the seat back side; and asecond divided surface N2 that is bent obliquely inward in the seatwidth direction from a seat back side extending tip of the first dividedsurface N1, and extends toward the seat back side.

With such a configuration, even if a foreign object or a finger of auser enters space between the top main portion 41 and each top sideportion 42 from the seat front side, the foreign object or the finger ofthe user is easily restricted from entering deep at a bent portionbetween the first divided surface N1 and the second divided surface N2.Specifically, the first divided surface N1 is raised relative to thesecond divided surface N2 in the height direction, and thus forms asurface shape, which extends from the seat front side to the seat backside, of each divided surface N.

In addition, a position where the second divided surface N2 of eachdivided surface N is bent from the extending tip of the first dividedsurface N1 is a position located on the seat back side relative to acenter in a thickness direction (front-rear direction) of the top mainportion 41. Due to the above divided structure, the top main portion 41can be supported on the second divided surfaces N2 on both left andright sides thereof obliquely from the seat back side by each top sideportion 42.

The side pad 42A of each top side portion 42 is made of urethane foamthat is harder than the main pad 41A of the top main portion 41. Forthis reason, the cushion portion 40 can support the buttocks of theseated person relatively softly from below by the top main portion 41,and can side-support the buttocks of the seated person with appropriatehardness by each top side portion 42.

Specifically, since the cushion portion 40 has the above dividedstructure, urethane foams with different hardness can be appropriatelyseparated and provided in the top main portion 41 and each top sideportion 42 without being mixed at a boundary portion therebetween. Inaddition, since each top side portion 42 is harder than the top mainportion 41, the foreign object or the finger of the user can be moreappropriately restricted from entering deep at the bent portion betweenthe first divided surface N1 and the second divided surface N2.

The main cover 41B of the top main portion 41 is configured in such amanner that a top cover piece C1 stretched over the seat surface thereofand divided surface cover pieces C3 stretched over the left and rightdivided surfaces N are sewn together into a single piece. The top coverpiece C1 includes extension portions C2 that extend on peripheral edgeson left and right sides thereof so as to be stretched onto the firstdivided surface N1 of each divided surface N. and includes a sewnportion C4 where an edge portion of each extension portion C2 and anedge portion of each divided surface cover piece C3 are sewn on eachfirst divided surface N1.

Similarly, the side cover 42B of each top side portion 42 is alsoconfigured in such a manner that the top cover piece C1 stretched overthe seat surface thereof and the divided surface cover piece C3stretched over the divided surface N between the top main portion 41 andeach top side portion 42 are sewn together into a single piece. Each topcover piece C1 includes the extension portion C2 that extends so as tobe stretched onto the first divided surface N1 of the divided surface N,and includes the sewn portion C4 where the edge portion of eachextension portion C2 and the edge portion of each divided surface coverpiece C3 are sewn on each first divided surface N1. In this way, sinceeach sewn portion C4 is provided on the divided surface N separated fromthe seat surface, sitting comfort and appearance quality of the cushionportion 40 can be less likely to be impaired.

SUMMARY

In summary, the seat device 1 according to the present embodiment hasthe following configuration. In the following description, referencenumerals in parentheses are reference numerals corresponding to therespective configurations shown in the above embodiment.

That is, a seat device (1) includes a cushion portion (20) thatelastically supports a seated person, and a seat frame (10) thatsupports the cushion portion (20). The cushion portion (20) includes aplurality of divided cushions (21, 22) divided in a seat widthdirection.

Each of the plurality of divided cushions (21, 22) includes a seat pad(21A, 22A) and a seat cover (21B, 22B) individually covering the seatpad (21A, 22A). A divided surface (M) between the divided cushions (21,22) adjacent to each other includes: a first divided surface (M1)extending from a seat front side toward a seat back side; and a seconddivided surface (M2) that is bent from a seat back side extending tip ofthe first divided surface (M1) in a direction different from a directionin which the first divided surface (M1) extends and extends toward theseat back side.

According to the above configuration, even w % ben a foreign objectenters space between the divided cushions (21, 22) adjacent to eachother, the foreign object is easily restricted from entering deep by thebent shape between the first divided surface (M1) and the second dividedsurface (M2). Therefore, it can be difficult for the foreign object toenter deep between the divided cushions (21, 22).

In addition, the plurality of divided cushions (21, 22) include threedivided elements, namely a top main portion (21) that forms a centralportion in the seat width direction, and top side portions (22) thatform two side portions in the seat width direction of a seat back (2) ofthe seat device (1). According to the above configuration, sincedividing lines of the divided cushions (21, 22) are provided between thetop main portion (21) and the top side portions (22) located on bothsides of the top main portion (21), the cushion portion (20) can beappropriately divided in the seat width direction in such a manner thatsitting comfort is not impaired.

In addition, the first divided surface (M1) extends in a direction thatrises in a thickness direction relative to the second divided surface(M2), and the second divided surface (M2) is bent obliquely inward inthe seat width direction. According to the above configuration, the topside portions (22) support the top main portion (21) from the seat backside. In addition, even if the top main portion (21) is set between thetop side portions (22) after the top side portions (22) are set on theseat frame (10), assembly thereof is less likely to be hindered.

In addition, the seat pad (22A) of each top side portion (22) is made ofurethane foam that is harder than the seat pad (21A) of the top mainportion (21). According to the above configuration, side supportprovided for the seated person can be improved by the hardness of thetop side portions (22). In addition, the effect of restricting entry ofthe foreign object can be improved by the hardness of the top sideportions (22).

In addition, a top cover piece (B1) that is stretched over a seatsurface of the seat cover (21B, 22B) includes an extension portion (B2)that extends so as to be stretched onto the divided surface (M), and asewn portion (B4) where the top cover piece (B1) is sewn with a dividedsurface cover piece (B3) stretched over the divided surface (M) on thedivided surface (M). According to the above configuration, since thesewn portion (B4) of the seat cover (21B. 22B) is provided on thedivided surface (M) separated from the seat surface, the sitting comfortand appearance quality of the seat device (1) can be less likely to beimpaired.

Similarly, a seat device (1) includes a cushion portion (40) thatelastically supports a seated person, and a seat frame (30) thatsupports the cushion portion (40). The cushion portion (40) includes aplurality of divided cushions (41, 42) divided in a seat widthdirection.

Each of the plurality of divided cushions (41, 42) includes a seat pad(41A, 42A) and a seat cover (41B, 42B) individually covering the seatpad (41A. 42A). A divided surface (N) between the divided cushions (41,42) adjacent to each other includes: a first divided surface (N1)extending from a seat front side toward a seat back side; and a seconddivided surface (N2) that is bent from a seat back side extending tip ofthe first divided surface (N1) in a direction different from a directionin which the first divided surface (N1) extends and extends toward theseat back side.

According to the above configuration, even when a foreign object entersspace between the divided cushions (41, 42) adjacent to each other, theforeign object is easily restricted from entering deep by the bent shapebetween the first divided surface (N1) and the second divided surface(N2). Therefore, it can be difficult for the foreign object to enterdeep between the divided cushions (41, 42).

In addition, the plurality of divided cushions (41, 42) include threedivided elements, namely a top main portion (41) that forms a centralportion in the seat width direction, and top side portions (42) thatform two side portions in the seat width direction of a seat cushion (3)of the seat device (1). According to the above configuration, sincedividing lines of the divided cushions (41, 42) are provided between thetop main portion (41) and the top side portions (42) located on bothsides of the top main portion (41), the cushion portion (40) can beappropriately divided in the seat width direction in such a manner thatsitting comfort is not impaired.

In addition, the first divided surface (N1) extends in a direction thatrises in a thickness direction relative to the second divided surface(N2), and the second divided surface (N2) is bent obliquely inward inthe seat width direction. According to the above configuration, the topside portions (42) support the top main portion (41) from the seat backside. In addition, even if the top main portion (41) is set between thetop side portions (42) after the top side portions (42) are set on theseat frame (30), assembly thereof is less likely to be hindered.

In addition, the seat pad (42A) of each top side portion (42) is made ofurethane foam that is harder than the seat pad (41A) of the top mainportion (41). According to the above configuration, side supportprovided for the seated person can be improved by the hardness of thetop side portions (42). In addition, the effect of restricting entry ofthe foreign object can be improved by the hardness of the top sideportions (42).

In addition, a top cover piece (C1) that is stretched over a seatsurface of the seat cover (41B, 42B) includes an extension portion (C2)that extends so as to be stretched onto the divided surface (N), and asewn portion (C4) where the top cover piece (C1) is sewn with a dividedsurface cover piece (C3) stretched over the divided surface (N) on thedivided surface (N). According to the above configuration, since thesewn portion (C4) of the seat cover (41B, 42B) is provided on thedivided surface (N) separated from the seat surface, the sitting comfortand appearance quality of the seat device (1) can be less likely to beimpaired.

Other Embodiments

Although embodiments of the present disclosure have been described aboveusing one embodiment, the present disclosure can be implemented invarious forms described below in addition to the above-describedembodiment.

<1> The seat device of the present invention may be applied to a carother than an automobile, such as a railway car, or a vehicle other thana car, such as an aircraft or a ship, in addition to the automobile. Inaddition, the seat device may also be applied as a seat device that isnot used on a vehicle, such as a bleacher installed in variousfacilities such as a sports facility, a theater, a concert hall, or anevent hall, or a massage seat in addition to the vehicle.

In addition, the seat device may also be configured such that only oneof the seat back and the seat cushion is divided. In addition, the seatdevice may also be configured in such a manner that the number ofdivisions is different between the seat back and the seat cushion.

<2> The cushion portion may include two divided cushions that aredivided into two in the seat width direction. In addition, the cushionportion may also include a plurality of divided cushions divided intofour or more parts in the seat width direction.

Further, the cushion portion may be configured in such a manner that anyof the divided cushions divided in the seat width direction is alsodivided in the length direction (the height direction for the seatback,and the front-rear direction for the seat cushion). For example, bydividing each top side portion of the seat back in the height direction,it is possible to partially change only both shoulder portions of theseat back to desired shapes, such as downward inclining shoulder shapesor upward inclining shoulder shapes.

<3> The divided surface between the divided cushions adjacent to eachother may include a first divided surface extending from the seat frontside toward the seat back side, and a second divided surface that isbent from a seat back side extending tip of the first divided surfacetoward the seat back side in a direction different from a direction inwhich the first divided surface extends. That is, the second dividedsurface may be bent in the seat width direction outer side. In addition,the first divided surface may be bent obliquely in the seat widthdirection, and the second divided surface may extend so as to rise inthe seat front-back direction relative to the first divided surface.

In addition, the first divided surface and the second divided surfacemay have shapes that extend in the same seat width direction withdifferent rising angles in the seat front-back direction. In addition,the first divided surface and the second divided surface may have shapesthat extend in the seat width direction in directions opposite to eachother. In addition, each of the first divided surface and the seconddivided surface may extend linearly in the seat front-back direction, ormay extend in a curved manner. The second divided surface may have astepped divided surface shape that is bent in the seat width directionfrom the seat back side extending tip of the first divided surface andfurther extends straight to the seat back side therefrom.

<4> The seat pad of the top side portion and the seat pad of the topmain portion may be made of urethane foam having the same hardness. Inaddition, the seat pad of the top main portion may also be made ofurethane foam that is harder than the seat pad of the top side portion.In addition, hardness adjustment for differentiating the hardness of theseat pads between the divided cushions may be achieved bydifferentiating sizes of the resin members provided on the back side ofthe seat pads from each other in order to change a thickness of eachseat pad, in addition to differentiating the hardness by forming theseat pads with different materials or density.

<5> The resin member may be integrated with the seat pad by beingintegrally molded with the seat pad, or may be integrated with the seatpad by joining an end of the seat cover wrapped in the seat pad to theresin member instead of being integrally molded with the seat pad.

<6> The seat cover may be integrated with the seat pad by a so-calledcover integrated foaming method. The seat cover may be made of a leathermaterial in addition to the fabric. The sewn portion between the topcover piece and the divided surface cover piece of the seat cover is notlimited to be located on the first divided surface, and may also belocated on the second divided surface.

<7> In the embodiment described above, the fixing structure that fixesthe side panel on the seat back side to the back frame is exemplified asa structure in which the clips arranged in the staggered manner offsetin the seat width direction are inserted into the back frame andsnap-fitted thereto. In addition, the fixing structure that fixes theside panel on the seat cushion side to the cushion frame is exemplifiedas a structure in which the clips and the hooking portions, which arearranged in the staggered manner offset in the seat width direction, areinserted into or hooked on the cushion frame and snap-fitted thereto.

However, the fixing structure that fixes the side panel on the seat backside to the back frame may also be the structure that fixes the sidepanel on the seat cushion side to the cushion frame (the structureincluding the clips and the hook portions arranged in the staggeredmanner). In addition, the fixing structure that fixes the side panel onthe seat cushion side to the cushion frame may also be the structurethat fixes the side panel on the seat back side to the back frame (thestructure including the clips arranged in the staggered manner).

<8> The plurality of divided cushions may not include the resin member.The plurality of divided cushions may be configured to be assembled tothe seat frame by a fastening unit other than the clip, such as a bolt.

What is claimed is:
 1. A seat device comprising: a cushion portionconfigured to elastically support a seated person; and a seat frameconfigured to support the cushion portion, wherein the cushion portionincludes a plurality of divided cushions divided in a seat widthdirection, and each of the plurality of divided cushions includes: aseat pad; and a seat cover individually covering the seat pad, and adivided surface between the divided cushions adjacent to each otherincludes: a first divided surface extending from a seat front sidetoward a seat back side; and a second divided surface that is bent froma seat back side extending tip of the first divided surface in adirection different from a direction in which the first divided surfaceextends and extends toward the seat back side.
 2. The seat deviceaccording to claim 1, wherein the plurality of divided cushions includesthree divided elements composed of a top main portion that forms acentral portion in the seat width direction, and top side portions thatform two side portions in the seat width direction of the seat device.3. The seat device according to claim 2, wherein the first dividedsurface extends in a direction that rises in a thickness directionrelative to the second divided surface, and the second divided surfaceis bent obliquely inward in the seat width direction.
 4. The seat deviceaccording to claim 2, wherein the seat pad of each top side portion ismade of urethane foam that is harder than the seat pad of the top mainportion.
 5. The seat device according to claim 1, wherein a top coverpiece of the seat cover that is disposed over a seat surface includes:an extension portion that extends so as to cover the divided surface;and a sewn portion where the top cover piece is sewn with a dividedsurface cover piece disposed on the divided surface.
 6. The seat deviceaccording to claim 2, wherein three divided elements form a seat back.7. The seat device according to claim 2, wherein three divided elementsform a seat cushion.